Carlson Rezidor signs 50th hotel deal in Africa

The signing of the 50th hotel deal brings the total number of rooms in the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's African portfolio to over 11 000+ rooms in operation and under development across 21 countries and firmly entrenches their position as one of the leading hotel operators on the Continent.

"This is an important milestone and great moment for the whole team," remarks Andrew McLachlan, vice president of Business Development in Africa & the Indian Ocean Islands.

"We first arrived in Africa in the year 2000 in Cape Town and over the first six years we grew our African portfolio to 8 hotels in 5 countries before we decided to establish a dedicated Africa Development Office in Cape Town at the beginning of 2007. Back then we only anticipated reaching 50 hotels open and under development by the end of 2015.

To achieve this objective two and half years ahead of schedule indicates Africa's potential for growth and the markets' readiness for international branded and operated hotels under our upper upscale Radisson Blu brand and our midscale Park Inn by Radisson brand in addition to Carlson Rezidor's focus and commitment to this very important emerging market".

Landmark hotels

Carlson Rezidor has opened landmark Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotel properties in key cities across Africa over the last 36 months which include Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Lagos Nigeria, Lusaka Zambia, Maputo Mozambique, Dakar Senegal, Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.

"Over the next 24 months we look forward to opening more signature Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson's in Freetown Sierra Leone, Nairobi Kenya, Kigali Rwanda, Libreville Gabon, Marrakech Morocco and Hammamet Tunisia to mention a few" added McLachlan.

According to the president and CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group, Wolfgang M. Neumann, Africa makes a compelling case for further investment.

"Aside from the continent's wealth of natural resources and wide scale stability in political and economic systems, there is an imbalance of demand and supply when it comes to modern, internationally branded hotel rooms. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, Carlson Rezidor enjoys the largest pipeline of hotels under development comprising of 23 hotels. Signing our 50th hotel deal in Africa is another momentous step as we strengthen and extend our leading position." says Neumann.

Future plans for Africa

While McLachlan's long term goal remains to have a Carlson Rezidor property in every major city in Africa, the key markets for short term expansion are Nigeria and South Africa.

"Our vision is to become the leading hospitality management company in Africa and to be recognized for our innovative, dynamic business culture and our Yes I Can! service bringing a strong portfolio of contemporary hospitality products to the African market in the shape of attractive, high-performing hotels, restaurants and bars that create great value and trust for guests, property owners, shareholders and other stakeholders.

In cooperation with our JV partners Mvelaphanda in South Africa and the four Nordic Government Funds in Afrinord Hotel Investments the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has built strong relationships with our African hotel owners and business partners, and we look forward to sustainable expansion and continued success on this exciting Continent."